Vial assembler

Abstract

An automatic machine is provided for partially filling a cylindrical vial having one open end with a liquid, inserting a plug into the open end and fitting a cap onto the open end. The machine includes two turrets. Each of the turrets has a plurality of notches in the periphery thereof, the notches each being sized and shaped for receiving a respective one of the vials in an orientation with the open end of the vial directed upwardly. A filling station for partially filling the vials with a liquid is associated with the first turret. The vials automatically transfer from the first turret to the second turret. Respective stations for plugging and capping the vials are associated with the second turret.

What I claim is: 
     
       1. Apparatus for partially filling with a liquid a cylindrical vial having one open end, inserting a plug into the open end and fitting a cap onto the open end, comprising first and second turrets, a plurality of notches provided in the periphery of each of the turrets, the notches each being sized and shaped for receiving a respective one of the vials in an upright orientation with the open end thereof directed upwardly, means for feeding respective vials into respective notches of the first turret so that each vial is received in a respective notch in an upright orientation with the open end thereof directed upwardly, located adjacent said first turret a filling station for partially filling vials in notches of the first turret with a liquid, means for rotationally indexing the turrets in opposite directions, the turrets abutting each other thereby defining a zone of closest mutual proximity of the turrets to facilitate transfer of vials from the first turret to the second turret, means for guiding transfer of the vials in said zone from the first turret to the second turret, said zone being rotationally spaced from the filling station in the direction of rotation of the first turret so that the partial filling of the vials is effected before they are transferred to the second turret, adjacent said second turret a plugging station for inserting plugs into the vials in notches of the second turret at a location rotationally spaced from said zone in the direction of rotation of the second turret, a capping station for fitting caps onto the vials in notches of the second turret at a location rotationally spaced from said plugging station in the direction of rotation of the second turret and means for discharging the partially filled, plugged and capped vials from the second turret at a location rotationally spaced from the capping station in the direction of rotation of the second turret. 
     
     
       2. Apparatus according to claim 1, in which the means for feeding vials to the first turret comprises a hopper, a ramp upwardly inclined toward the first turret from a lower portion of the hopper and a wheel for discharging vials from the lower portion of the hopper onto the ramp. 
     
     
       3. Apparatus according to claim 2, in which the wheel is arranged to discharge the vials onto the ramp so the vials lie across the ramp and the means for feeding vials to the first turret further comprises means for receiving the vials from the ramp and guiding the vials from the ramp to notches in the first turret and means for striking the vials thereby to propel the vials along said receiving and guiding means into said notches in the first turret. 
     
     
       4. Apparatus according to claim 3, in which the ramp extends to an elevation above the elevation of the top of the first turret and the receiving and guiding means comprises a chute extending substantially horizontally away from the ramp and substantially vertically downwardly to a position immediately above the first turret so that the vials drop into noteches of the first turret in a vertical orientation. 
     
     
       5. Apparatus according to claim 4, in which said filling station comprises a plurality of pumps, a respective nozzle communicating with each of said pumps, a carriage supporting said nozzles above notches of said first turret and means for reciprocating said carriage substantially vertically so that cyclically said nozzles lower into and then raise out of vials in respective notches of said first turret as the pumps pump liquid through said nozzles into said vials. 
     
     
       6. Apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising a vibratory circular feed bowl for containing a suppy of and feeding the plugs and a linear vibratory feeder communicating between the feed bowl and the plugging station, the plugging station further comprising a die having openings for receiving plugs from the linear feeder, the openings in said die being aligned with vials received in notches of the second turret, a respective punch for each of the openings in the die, each said punch being in alignment with a respective die opening, a first carriage supporting said die above notches of said second turret and a second carriage supporting said punches above said die, respective means for reciprocating said first and second carriages substantially vertically so that cyclically said die lowers plugs to a position just above the mouths of respective vials in respective notches of said second turret whereupon said punches drive plugs into said vials. 
     
     
       7. Apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising a vibratory circular feed bowl for containing a supply of and feeding the caps and a linear vibratory feeder communicating between the feed bowl and the capping station, the capping station further comprising a die having openings for receiving caps from the linear feeder, the openings in said die being aligned with vials received in notches of the second turret, a respective punch for each of the openings in the die, each said punch being in alignment with a respective die opening, means supporting said die above notches of said second turret, a carriage supporting said punches above said die, and means for reciprocating said carriage substantially vertically so that cyclically said punches push caps onto vials in respective notches of said second turret.